Dementia Care Newcastle

Dementia is a general term used to describe a range of symptoms that affect a person's ability to think, remember, and perform everyday activities. It’s not one specific disease but a syndrome. Dementia is more common in those who are older, but it can affect people of all ages.

Some common types of dementia include Alzheimer's Disease, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, and Frontotemporal Dementia, and Younger Onset Dementia. Symptoms can vary from person to person but often include memory loss, confusion, difficulty with language and communication, impaired judgment, and changes in mood and behaviour.

Dementia requires a clinical diagnosis through extensive medical evaluation, including neurological tests, brain imaging, and cognitive assessments. While there is no cure for most types of dementia, early diagnosis and good management can help improve quality of life.

Do you need dementia home care in Newcastle? Home Caring provides support services for people in living with dementia, and their family carers. To find out more about our dementia support services in Newcastle, please get in touch. We’re happy to help, no matter the type of dementia you’ve been diagnosed with.

If you think someone you care about might have dementia, it can be tricky to figure out what to do. Firstly, it’s important to note that many cognitive issues can present like dementia, so it’s important not to jump to conclusions. Starting with a visit to your regular GP is a good first step, as they can give an initial diagnosis and, if necessary, connect your loved one with specialists like geriatricians and neurologists for further examination.

In the meantime, here are some things you can do to assist:

• Talk to your loved one. Have a gentle conversation about any difficulties they're facing, and let them know you're there to support them. Sometimes they might not even realise their symptoms or might be in denial, so be patient and understanding.
• Listen and empathise with them. While you may feel the need to express your concerns, make sure you take the time to listen and understand what your loved one is experiencing, so they feel heard and valued.
• Choose the right time and place. Find a calm, private, and comfortable setting to discuss your concerns – somewhere you can avoid loud noises, distractions and interruptions. Choose a moment when your loved one is relaxed and receptive to speak about your concerns.
• Encourage a doctor's visit. If your loved one is reluctant to get their symptoms checked, suggest a doctor's visit for another reason, like a physical symptom. This gives them an opportunity to bring up their other challenges they’re experiencing during the visit.
• Keep a record. Pay attention to your loved one’s behaviour, memory issues, and changes in thinking. Write down specific examples of when and how their behaviour or memory was affected. This information will be helpful when talking to healthcare professionals.
• Help them do some research. If you loved one is diagnosed with dementia, seek out information, services, local or online support groups for both of you. You don’t have to walk this journey alone.
• Offer reassurance and support. Keep in mind that this can be a tough time for your loved one, as a dementia diagnosis can be confronting and overwhelming. Being calm and supportive can help them deal with their worries and fears.

Do you need personalised dementia support in Newcastle? Home Caring provides individualised aged care and dementia support for people and their families, to promote a happy, healthy life. To chat to someone about your needs, please get in touch with our friendly customer service team

The Home Care Packages program, delivered by the Australian government, offers plenty of services to support people living with dementia, and their families and loved ones. These services can help participants lead more independent and comfortable lives, and stay in the familiar surrounds of home for longer rather than moving into an aged care home before they are ready. Home care also provides invaluable support to family members who play a pivotal role in their care.

Here are some of the services you can access through a Home Care Package:

• Specialist dementia support – this includes personalised care plans, engaging programs, and effective strategies for managing challenging behaviours associated with dementia.
• Respite care – professional support workers are available to relieve family members from their caring duties, giving them the opportunity to take a well-deserved break.
• Meal planning and preparation – support with diets to ensure people with dementia maintain regular meals, nutritious diet and proper hydration.
• House help – support for tasks like house cleaning, laundry, and general home maintenance, promoting a safe and comfortable living environment.
• Personal care services – discreet assistance with daily personal care activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting.
• Therapies – Allied health services from a healthcare professional, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, dietetics, psychology, and podiatry.
• Companionship and social support – helping people with dementia stay connected to their social circles and maintain meaningful relationships.
• Nursing services at home – round-the-clock clinical care from Registered Nurses is available for those in need.
• Medication management – support to ensure that individuals with dementia take their medications correctly and on schedule.
• Transportation – services to help people attend medical appointments, engage in social activities, see loved ones, and enjoy outings.
• Counselling Services – for individuals and families dealing with dementia, counselling services and support groups offer a valuable platform for sharing experiences and coping strategies.
• Assistive technology - personal alarms, GPS devices, and sensors can monitor and support people with dementia in innovative ways, giving them freedom while maintaining safety.

Are you looking for home dementia care in Newcastle? Home Caring helps people with dementia with daily tasks and healthcare needs. To find out more about our specialised dementia services, please get in touch with our team. We’re happy to help.

If you have dementia, you might be able to access a Home Care Package, the main source of funding for home care support in Australia. Through this program, senior citizens can receive a government-subsidised program of services, personalised to meet their unique care needs at home.

Eligibility for a Home Care Package is determined through an assessment process, conducted by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). Here are the key steps of that process:

• Contact My Aged Care. The first step is to get in touch with your local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) and apply for an assessment. You can do this by contacting My Aged Care, the Australian government's central entry point for aged care services, on the phone or through the website. To be eligible, you must be an older Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. There is also a minimum age requirement which is 65 years or older (50 years and over for Indigenous Australians).
• Undergo an assessment – once you apply for an assessment with My Aged Care, an ACAT assessor will get in touch to arrange a one-on-one meeting, usually in your home, to determine your eligibility for a Home Care Package. This assessment takes into account your care needs, the support you require, and your individual circumstances. To qualify for a Home Care Package, you should have care needs that can be met by the services provided under this program. These needs can include assistance with daily activities, personal care, nursing care, and other services that support your ability to live at home.
• Undergo an income assessment – you may be subject to an income assessment which will determine your contribution to the cost of your Home Care Package, depending on your financial situation.
• Home Care Package approval – if you are approved for a Home Care Package, you will be notified by mail. You are then placed on a national priority waiting list, until a package becomes available to you. Priority may be given to individuals with more complex care needs and those facing particular challenges.

Do you need a dementia carer in Newcastle? Home Caring’s team of local carers provide excellent care to meet every day needs. To find out more, please get in touch with our care staff team

If you're waiting for a Home Care Package but need support for yourself or a loved one with dementia while you wait, you can apply for a smaller amount of support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or an interim package. The CHSP is a government-funded program that provides a range of entry-level services to help older Australians live independently in their homes. Services are designed to be more basic and may not provide the same level of support as a Home Care Package, but they can be a helpful temporary solution while you wait for a package to become available.

An interim package is a similar solution to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or transitional care, available to people who have been approved for a Level 2, 3, or 4 Home Care Package. If you choose to access an interim package, it won’t impact your place in the queue.

Another option is to pay privately for services while you wait for your Home Care Package. This means directly hiring and paying for service providers to meet your loved one's care needs. While this can be a more costly approach, families might choose this option to bridge the gap until their government-funded Home Care Package becomes available, ensuring that their loved one receives the necessary care and support in the meantime.

Home Caring provides comprehensive care packages to help people enjoy quality of life and comfort in their own home. To learn more about dementia care at home in Newcastle, please get in touch with our customer service team.

The age cut-off for the Home Care Packages program is 65 years old (50 for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people), as the program is intended to help senior members of the Australian community. If you have younger onset dementia, you can receive support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). You can apply for the NDIS through the website ndis.gov.au, or by calling 1800 800 110. A loved one can also apply on your behalf.

An NDIS plan enables you to access supports such as help with the housework, personal care, transport to appointments and events, specialist care, allied health therapy, and nursing support. If your circumstances change, your NDIS plan can be reviewed and adjusted.

Do you need dementia care in Newcastle? Home Caring provides personalised care to individuals with younger onset dementia in the Newcastle community, and their family members and loved ones. To chat to someone about your needs, please get in touch with our care team.